Best dac under $2500 - comparing build quality and technologies


I have been in the  Audio field for over 4 decades and have owned some pretty exclusive audio gear 
I was listening to a 3 years old R2R dac the R7 from AudioGD a 20 year old company which won several awards  which is not known much in the U.S yet  ,This New R8-MK2 is better still.
it is  very well built using 3 R core transformers rarely seen unless spending $$. Their latest and best value is the New R8 mk2 dac. This dac just came out late April 2021 ,over a year went into the redesign the Owner stated this unit has several advancements vs previous designs , and runs much cooler for less money then  the previous R7 but better ,their is also a mk2 R7 also as well as a Flagship R7 HE with power regeneration,which I wanted but could not afford .The dynamics and realism is what sets this apart it’s massive power supplies and over 130k uf 
of capacitance is more then most amps has a lot to do with it I will be getting my dac next week and put side by side with  very well know competitors  it was noticeable better  in several areas , and it has 7 sonic adjustments all FPGA based 
4- non over sampling ,including a vinyl mode, and 3 over sampling  other dacs just a minor OS option 
you literally can Taylor the sound to your audio system .it weighs 26 lbs ,Underwood Wally is now the U.S distributor and service center  . I will give a full rundown once I have logged a week or two on it ,2 R- core transformers go to the pure class A  analog output section, the 3 rd transformer -digital is now fully servo controlled and runs much cooler and much better specifications . Check out link below.
http://www.audio-gd.com/R2R/R8mk2/R8mk2EN.htm
128x128audioman58
I haven't used a large enough variety of DACs to be an expert; however, I can tell you if you also need a great headphone/IEM solution -and- you have hearing issues such that you need some DSP help to maximize your experience, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS is an absolute Godsend--especially helpful for me is the separate parametric eq settings for each output -plus- being able to set unique eq for left vs right.  Amazing.
This discussion tends to demonstrate the need for easier comparisons.
One way would be for people at RMAF to gather maybe 10 top contenders at say 0-$3k, 3-6, 6-10k. etc and publish a listening schedule
by model. I imagine a large room would be needed as attendance would
be huge. Okay-You have time, now do it please! I'm coming.
I have had the Lampi3 , last year had the Schiit Yggsdrasil with latest board ,Sold 
way  to Neutral for sure notnatural warmth IMO ithe Lampi  too warm not enough leading edge detail .
the Holo springs 2 was good but a little laid back . The Gd audio I heard last month  R8 and was the best of the bunch as far as dynamics and natural balance. I will see how it goes in my system 
the new mk2 is stated to be better and a bunch of true adjustments to Taylor 
to your system . Walter said they are sold out ,I bought  one it should be hear end of next week then the dreaded breakin .